Ueno is a historic and vibrant neighborhood of Tokyo that sits just to the north of the center of the city. Perhaps most famous for the sprawling Ueno Park, Ueno is crammed with culture and a world of great shops and places to eat.
Alongside excellent transport links, there are also plenty of choices when it comes to accommodation, making Ueno a great place to stay whilst visiting Tokyo.
Main image: PIXTA
What is Ueno all about?
(Photo: PIXTA)
Much of Ueno is centered around Ueno Park, a vast green space that’s also home to Japan’s oldest zoo, as well as several major museums, art galleries, and ancient temples and shrines. Ueno Park is one of Tokyo’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in the spring.
Right next to Ueno Park is Ueno Station, one of Tokyo’s largest train stations. Conveniently, this links the area with the rest of Tokyo as well as northern Japan.
The streets surrounding Ueno Stations are lined with a plethora of cafes, bars, and restaurants, as well as one of the city’s best street markets.
Why is Ueno a good place to stay?
(Photo: PIXTA)
Ueno is easily one of the best places to stay during a trip to Tokyo. In Ueno are some of Tokyo’s best-loved tourist attractions, plus the area is wonderfully located for getting out and seeing the rest of Tokyo.
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(Photo: PIXTA)
Elsewhere in Ueno, you can shop for great bargains and souvenirs at Ameya Yokocho (or Ameyoko for short), a bustling street market that’s also a great place to eat. Just north of Ueno Park is the pretty neighborhood of Yanaka, whose winding streets are filled with traditional shops, restaurants, and cute cafes.
Close to Ueno is Akihabara, the home of all things anime, manga, and electronics, which is just a three-minute train ride south of Ueno. To the east of Ueno are two of Tokyo’s biggest attractions, Sensoji Temple and the Tokyo Skytree®, both of which are just a few train stops away from Ueno Station.
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In fact, Ueno Station is one of the best-connected stations in Tokyo, making this an ideal base to explore the whole city. Several lines pass through Ueno Station, connecting it with the rest of Tokyo, including the JR Yamanote Line, the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, and the Tokyo Metro Ginza and Hibiya lines.
There are also direct trains between Ueno Station and Narita International Airport via the Keisei Skyliner Express, with the journey taking 45 minutes. Haneda International Airport can be reached from Ueno Station in around 40 minutes with one change at Shinagawa Station.
Ueno Station is also the perfect place to stay if you plan on exploring northern J…
